“By heavens, I have it?” he at length exclaimed, at the same time starting to his feet. “I have it, Maynard! I have it?”
“What has occurred to you, my dear Count?”
“A plan to save time. We’ll go back to New York by the evening’s boat!”
“Not before fighting! I presume you include that in your calculations?”
“Of course I do. We’ll fight, and be in time all the same.”
If Maynard had been a man of delicate susceptibilities he might have reflected on the uncertainty of such a programme.
He merely asked for its explanation.
“Perfectly simple,” responded the Count. “You are to be the challenged party, and, of course, have your choice both of time and weapons. No matter about the weapons. It’s the time that concerns us so.”
“You’d bring off the affair to-day?”
“Would, and will.”